Should You Disclose a Disability on Your Resume? > by Kim Isaacs > Monster Resume Expert > > The 2000 US Census reports that nearly one in five > Americans has some type of disability. However, most > of these people aren't working -- according to the > New Freedom Initiative, the unemployment rate for > adults with disabilities is around 70 percent. > > These statistics suggest that people with > disabilities may have to work harder to land a new > position. The most important job search tool -- the > resume -- has to be in top shape. Follow these > experts' advice on how to address a disability on > your resume. > > Should You Mention a Disability? > > "The first thing job seekers need to ask themselves > is, 'Can I do the job?'" says Jonathan Kaufman, > Monster Disability Advisor and president of > DisabilityWorks.com. "If the answer is yes and the > disability doesn't affect job performance, then > don't mention it." > > Jeff Klare, CEO of Hire DisAbility Solutions, which > is jointly operated by Monster, has a similar view. > "Never reveal a disability on a resume," he says, > citing the possibility of discrimination or > preconceived, inaccurate notions about disabilities > as the primary reasons to avoid the topic. > > Dr. Daniel J. Ryan, author of The Job Search > Handbook for People with Disabilities and director > of career planning at the University at Buffalo, > State University of New York, concurs. "Employers > use resumes to weed people out, so anything on the > resume that would allude to a disability -- given > the realities of the marketplace -- will probably > work against you," he explains. > > Top 3 Reasons to Avoid Disclosing a Disability > > 1. Fewer Interview Invitations: "Not securing > an interview is one of the major potential pitfalls > of revealing a disability on a resume," Klare says. > > 2. A Reason to Eliminate You: Your resume is a > marketing document. "Show that you have the > requirements the employer is seeking, and eliminate > anything that might move you to the 'reject pile,' > whether that's typos, coffee stains on your document > or having a disability," Ryan says. > > 3. The Law Is on Your Side: "Under the > Americans with Disabilities Act, you don't have to > say anything," Kaufman points out. > > Exceptions > > "I would only reveal a disability on a resume if I > knew that it would increase my chances of getting > the job," says Ryan. "This is rarely true, except > for when applying for programs designed specifically > to recruit people with disabilities, or if the > disability is related to the position (for example, > a visually impaired counselor for those who are > visually impaired)." > > Disability-Related Employment Gaps > > How should you handle employment gaps caused by > medical-related absences? "If there's a big gap (two > or more years), it helps to have a filler," suggests > Klare. > > But Klare advises against disclosing your disability > on the resume or cover letter as the reason for the > gap. "There are many ways to fill gaps," he says. > Options include volunteer work, continuing education > or other activities you performed during your time > away from the workforce. > > Additional Resume Pitfalls to Avoid > > Be careful about including achievements on your > resume that could unintentionally reveal your > disability. That doesn't mean you have to omit all > references to organizations that are tied to your > disability, but use common sense. > > "Clearly, 'Gold Medal, 2006 Special Olympics,' > implies you have a disability," says Ryan. "However, > รข?~Treasurer, American Cancer Society Chapter' does > not." > > Interview Concerns > > People with visible disabilities (e.g., noticeable > impairments to speech, hearing, sight or mobility) > might want to disclose the disability so there are > no surprises at the interview. Ryan advises against > this. "Get your foot in the door for interviews, and > if the disability is visible, put their minds at > ease early on in the process, assuring employers > that you have the skills to do the job," he says. > > Special Accommodations > > "Each disability has a built-in accommodation > requirement, from none to many," says Klare. So you > need to know the accommodations you will need for > your disability and pose proactive solutions once > there's mutual interest in your candidacy. "For > example, a diabetic might need two 15-minute breaks > for insulin and access to a refrigerator, but it's > best to discuss this after you get the job," he > adds. Klare recommends knowing what equipment may be > needed to accommodate your disability and where to > source it. "Become a team player from the > beginning," he says. Kaufman points out that the average cost for > accommodations is $500 or less. "And many times it's > nothing," he says, adding that employers can often > leverage or adapt technology, resources and other > tools already in place.
Klare's final advice: "Use the resume to open the > door, and then let the person come out in the > interview." CARLOS R WILLIAMS join my group at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] juana aka speedie/wildcat2003 Love is a thing whitch should be treasured with the heart and not with the body. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Access the Recipes And More list archives at: http://www.mail-archive.com/recipesandmore%40googlegroups.com/ Visit the group home page at: http://groups.google.com/group/RecipesAndMore -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
